{"id":611078,"date":"2025-12-04T06:30:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T06:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/611078\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T06:30:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T06:30:27","slug":"govan-law-centre-launches-be-safer-at-christmas-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/611078\/","title":{"rendered":"Govan Law Centre launches ‘Be Safer at Christmas’ campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n Govan Law Centre (GLC) has launched its \u2018Be Safer at Christmas\u2019 campaign, as they say the festive season can lead to an increase in domestic abuse or violence against women, and as such can be an \u201cextremely frightening and anxious time\u201d.\n<\/p>\n

\n The campaign is being led by the centre\u2019s Women\u2019s Legal Project, which solicitor Sophie Berry spearheads. It highlights some of the factors leading to a spike in incidents during this period.\n<\/p>\n

\n These include increased time at home, alcohol or drug consumption, financial pressure, and lack of access to supports.\n<\/p>\n

\n Wendy Malloy, project manager of Prevention of Homelessness<\/a> Services at GLC, explained the importance of planning as early as possible to deal with volatile situations.\n<\/p>\n

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\n She said: \u201cWe\u2019re aware as human beings and as professionals that incidences of domestic abuse can spike over the festive period.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cWe were also aware there was a particular issue over that time, as services are often closed for Christmas and New Year, including ourselves.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cSo it can be really difficult for women. We wanted to get people thinking about that. People who may have suffered it in the past or are worried about it happening this year, get them thinking about it as early as they can and have thoughts around how to plan if it happens, who to contact, what to take if they have to go, how to present as homeless, etc.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt is really about getting in as early as we can to get someone who anticipates having that issue to know how best to react and manage that situation themselves.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n GLC\u2019s campaign notes that during 2023\/24, Police Scotland<\/a> recorded 63,867 domestic abuse incidents, 81 per cent of which involved a male perpetrator and a female victim.\n<\/p>\n

\n Over the festive period from December 2023 to January 2024, the force and Crown Office are said to have received 5,113 crime reports relating to domestic abuse.\n<\/p>\n

\n READ NEXT:<\/strong> How Glasgow cops are tackling domestic abuse in the city<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n This is the first year that the GLC has run a specific campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence at Christmas, although it has previously highlighted themes surrounding the issue, such as debt.\n<\/p>\n

\n Women are being issued with important advice on what to do if any situations arise.\n<\/p>\n

Things to consider<\/p>\n